Recruiting: Latest commitment could turn momentum around for Michigan

March 26, 2014

By Tim Sullivan

Detroit Free Press Special Writer

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Michigan’s recruiting pulled out of a lull Monday afternoon with the commitment of the nation’s No. 41 prospect, Richmond (Va.) St. Christopher’s School cornerback Garrett Taylor. While the newest U-M pledge is big in his own right, Taylor is just as important for reversing what had been a slow-down trend in Wolverine recruiting.

Since August, Michigan had actually netted negative on the recruiting trail until Monday. 2016 offensive lineman Erik Swenson committed to the Maize and Blue in December, but 2015 five-stars George Campbell and Damien Harris decommitted in the winter. Add in some misses (the nation’s No. 1 2014 prospect, Da’Shawn Hand, opted for Alabama over Michigan in November, and local five-star Malik McDowell picked MSU over the U-M on Signing Day in February), and Taylor’s commitment was just the shot in the arm that Michigan needed.

The mood in recruiting can turn quickly, and Taylor swings what had looked like doom and gloom to a sudden positive. He could even help U-M lure more recruits in not only his own class, but the one after it.

With Taylor’s addition to 2013 running back Derrick Green and 2014 quarterback Wilton Speight (his unofficial host on his recent visit to Michigan), and the Wolverines suddenly look strong in the Richmond, Va. area. Michigan has two offers out to players from the area, and the added comfort of another player from close to home could help the Wolverines get a boost.

Benedictine College Prep teammates Clelin Ferrell and Scott Bracey, a 2015 defensive end and 2016 wide receiver, respectively, both hold Michigan offers — to go along with nearly two dozen others apiece. The duo played in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association with Benedictine this season, playing both Speight and Taylor.

Taylor’s commitment should boost Michigan recruiting simply due to the fact that it is a positive piece of news, helping the Wolverines gain momentum on the trail. In a more direct way, it could give them yet another connection to two top targets in the next couple classes.

Most importantly, Taylor adds even more talent to a Michigan secondary that has added plenty of it in recent classes.

Tim Sullivan is the Football Recruiting Editor of The Wolverine magazine and TheWolverine.com. He is also a contributor to national football recruiting coverage on the Rivals.com network. You can follow him on Twitter @TimS_Wolverine.